Proverbs 17:20 "He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief."
Proverbs 17:22 "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine:
but a broken spirit drieth the bones."
These two verses describe the hearts of individuals. The word, heart, in the
Bible does not always mean the organ in the body that pumps blood. In fact,
more times than not, the word means the will and determination of an
individual.. Sometimes, we speak of someone who "puts his whole
heart and soul" into whatever is being done. He puts his mind and
determination - his determined will - to compete or complete the task.
So, these verses describe different types of will of individuals. "A
froward heart" describes someone who is willfully disobedient. The example
was given of a dog who sits when you tell it to come and runs away when you
tell it to sit. That's a pretty good example of someone who has a froward
heart. Solomon said that person doesn't find good in anything. Let's face
it, there are people in the world who cannot be pleased with anything. I
know that's a harsh statement, but it's true. We all are probably thinking of a
certain person right now. (I write that with a smile.) But the opposite
of that willfully disobedient person is someone who has a merry heart. We
also are probably thinking of someone just now who can bring a smile to your
face, or brightens up the room, just by showing up. I am realizing just
now that this "merry heart" isn't always speaking of my heart;
rather, it can very well be someone else who brings joy to you and makes you
feel better just by being in your presence. I want to be that person, but
I admit it takes work to be successful at it. I don't always make it to that
place. It seems to me that although it is a matter of choice to have a
merry heart, we need help to get to that frame of mind. "Rejoice in the
Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice." (Philippians 4:4) Instead of
being froward (willfully disobedient), I want to choose to have that merry
heart and that can be accomplished when we hand our struggles and problems to
the Lord. After telling us to rejoice, Paul proceeds to tell us how to do that.
"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication
with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (7) And
the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and
minds through Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7)